Policies

Planning and Policy Manual

This document includes the long range plan, technology plan, bylaws of the Saratoga Springs Public Library Advisory Board, and policies which govern Library operations. Due to the length of this document the policies have pulled out below.

Authority: Establishes the authority for the City Council and Library Advisory board to establish Policies for the Library's operation.

Definitions: Defines terms used throughout the planning and policy manual.

Accounts and Library Cards

Policy information regarding registering for, obtaining and authorizing individuals access to a library card. Information regarding account renewal and expiration requirements; how to report lost or stolen/cards and when the Library is authorized to release customer information.

Card Renewal

30 days prior to an account’s expiration, the customer will be sent a notice asking them to renew their account by coming into the Library with their Library card, photo ID, and proof of address (if their current address is not printed on their photo ID).

Due to contract limitations which require that customers using digital services reside within the State of Utah, accounts may not be renewed through email or over the phone. Special requests may be made to renew accounts without coming in by filling out the “Card Renewal” form online. The customer will be asked to provide the following:

An image of a valid photo ID;
An image of their Library card (where the Library card number is visible);
Proof of current Saratoga Springs address which is correspondence to their first and last name, which is dated and/or postmarked within the last 30 days.

Accounts that have been expired for more than 1 year will be removed following U.C.A. § 63G2-302(1)(c).

Circulation

Information regarding borrowing privileges including loan periods, checkout limits, holds, renewals. Additional information regarding overdue items, theft, damage and mutilation of library materials.

Inter-Library Loan

Inter-library loan is the process of borrowing items from another library. Is there an item you'd really like to use, but the Saratoga Springs Public Library does not have it? Consider making an Interlibrary Loan Request. This allows us to check with libraries throughout the United States to borrow the book for you to use. Please be aware that while some interlibrary loans may be in within a business week, others can take up to 8 weeks to receive. No news is generally good news. If we do receive any notices about your loan, we will email them to you.

Inter-Library Loan Request Form

Inter-Library Loan Procedures

Fines and Fees

Fines and fees are adopted by the City Council by resolution. Saratoga Springs City Resolution R22-08, the City Council (hereinafter “Council”), with a quorum present, in a regular and public meeting held on the 2^nd day of February, 2021, hereby adopted the linked schedule.

Fine Waiver

Customers may apply for a fine forgiveness program once every 36 months based on a demonstration of a medical or financial hardship for the adult account holder or co-signer.

Fine Waiver Request Form

Technology and Internet Use

This policy provides guidelines regarding Library Technology and Internet use and to meet the requirements of U.C.A. § 9-7-215 and 216, Utah Admin. Code R458-2, and 47 U.S.C. § 254. This policy is part of the terms and conditions to use public computers, Wi-Fi and other internet-based technologies and is readily available to the public on our website. The Library will review this policy at least every 3 (three) years. A copy of the new policy will be sent to the Utah State Library, as required by Utah Admin. Code R458-2. Please contact the Library with any questions concerning this policy or its enforcement.

Request Exception to Filter

All sites accessible from within the Library and/or from Library technology are subject to the X: Technology and Internet Use subsection Internet Acceptable Use and Customer Agreement. If you feel that you have found a URL that is mishandled by our filter, please read and understand all of the following before proceeding.

Any customer with a valid Library card can fill out the “Request Local Exception to Filter Categorization” form located on the website to question if a URL was mishandled by our filter.

Request Exception to Filter Form

Facilities and Displays

Policies governing use of the Library's facility and the display of public artwork, the library collection, and brochures, information board and/or announcements. Information regarding how to submit a statement of concern regarding artwork, a library collection display, brochure, information board and/or announcement can also be found in this portion of the policy.

Statement of Concern Form

Customer Behavior, Service, and Expectations

The Library is open to everyone; all are welcome to use the Library’s services and resources. So that all Library customers may have a pleasant experience, customers are expected to respect the rights of others and adhere to the following behavioral rules. These expectations apply equally to minors and adults. Adults are responsible for providing proper supervision of those under their care while in the Library. This section of the policies also allow the Library Director, or designee, to establish registration requirements, program space limitations, and/or procedural requirements to provide access to events for all customers with an active accounts.

Customer Behavior

The Library’s behavior guidelines are intended to maintain a considerate and orderly atmosphere, preserve easy access to Library services and resources, and to protect Library property. Individuals who willfully violate these rules are subject to exclusion from the Library; egregious violations may result in the immediate exclusion or in longer exclusions than indicated in these guidelines.

Individuals who repeatedly violate these behavior guidelines after having been previously excluded due to Library rule violations may face a longer exclusion than indicated in these guidelines. Repeat offenders need not violate the same rule to be subject to stricter enforcement and need not be warned that their behavior is inappropriate before being excluded.

Service to Customers with a Disability

The Library complies with the policies of the City regarding the provision of services to citizens with disabilities as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA.

It is the intent of the Library to comply with the provisions of the ADA. As a result, the Library wishes to establish guidelines to facilitate the provision of Library services to citizens with disabilities in accordance with the principle of reasonable accommodation and within the scope of the Library’s mission, goals, and resources.

Request an Accommodation Form

Collection Development and Maintenance

This policy governs the Library's collection development process including local author submissions and removal of items from the Library.

Local Author Submissions

As a public library that focuses on popular materials, the Library selects titles aimed at the general reader. The primary focus of our Library is to maintain up-to-date and varied collections that reflect community interests and customer needs. Information governing this process can be found in the policy link above.

Recommendation to Purchase an Independently Published Title

Gifts and Donations

The Library welcomes gifts of equipment, money, or material for their use. Books, media, and other donated materials are subject to XIII: Collection Development and Maintenance Criteria for Selection which identifies criteria that are applied to materials which are purchased.

Background Checks

The purpose of this Policy is to preserve the safety and well-being of individuals utilizing the Library and its services and others who utilize City owned, operated, and maintained facilities. The Policy requires criminal background checks for Library employees and volunteers over the age of 18. This Policy is intended to meet the requirements of U.C.A. § 9-7-218. In the event of a conflict, the more restrictive provision shall apply so long as there is no violation of U.C.A. § 9-7-218. The list of disqualifying charges (whether pending or otherwise) or convictions is listed below in XV: Background Checks Disqualifying Offenses (hereinafter referred to as “disqualifying offenses”). Use of the term “dismissed with prejudice” herein shall also include charges that were dismissed without prejudice, if and only if, the applicable prosecution agency clearly indicates in writing that charges will not be brought again in the future.

Policy Violations Notification Process

Library employees are encouraged to communicate with customers who are violating policies in a friendly, direct manner that is proactive in discussing the issue(s) with the customer and trying to solve the situation. This policy governs notifying customers of policy violations and the manner in which issues may be handled.

Customer Statement of Concern

If a display, program, or item has had a “Customer Statement of Concern” form submitted within the last 12 months, the initial decision or appealed decision will be upheld and the new “Customer Statement of Concern” will be informed of the previous result(s).